Ajax Orlando U18 Squad Sweeps Prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase; US Arm of International Soccer Club Takes Top Youth Invitational Tournament.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Ajax Orlando's Under-18 Boys soccer team defeated the Texans Red from Houston, Tex., to win Disney's Soccer Showcase 2004 in the Copa division final. The squad, led by coach Greg Petersen, won five matches to take home the tournament title.

"Ajax Orlando made a statement at the Disney Showcase," stated Dart McCarty, director of youth team operations. "The youth academy is less than a year old, but the way the team performed and the results clearly show how Ajax soccer can be played in the United States. A lot of people at Disney experienced Ajax style soccer first-hand."

In the preliminary round, Ajax Orlando defeated Sereno Soccer Club (Phoenix, Ariz.) 3-2, Charlotte Soccer Club (Charlotte, N.C.) 1-0 and the Boston Bulldogs (Boston, Mass.) 1-0 to gain entry into the finals. On December 30, 2004, Ajax Orlando defeated Solar Soccer Club (Dallas, Tex.) 3-0 in the semi-finals and later the Texans Red (Houston, Tex.) 2-1 for the championship.

"Not only was this a big accomplishment in the soccer world, but there is significant potential for Ajax Orlando players to earn college scholarships," added McCarty. "There were a number of college soccer scouts on hand for the tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if there were $500,000 in scholarship money awarded as a result. This success should be a catalyst for bigger and better things for Ajax soccer in Central Florida and the US."

Disney's Soccer Showcase is one of the most prestigious high school soccer tournaments annually held in the US. Four hundred teams traveled from across the country for the invitational tournament which was held December 27, 2004 - January 2, 2005. Preliminary rounds were played at several Central Florida soccer complexes, while the Finals were held at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

About Ajax Orlando

Ajax Orlando is the exclusive American affiliate of AFC Ajax (Amsterdam). The company was founded in 2003 to scout, recruit and train the top soccer talent in the United States at its Orlando, Florida headquarters. In addition to operating its youth academy, Ajax Orlando administers national camps and international tournaments to seek out the nation's premier soccer players. More information about Ajax Orlando can be found at http://www.AjaxOrlando.us.